Ever wondered how to rebuild after the impact of a natural disaster? Every day around the world businesses are impacted by natural disasters. Victoria is not immune to these impacts and the following are stories of resilience, survival and re-building.

Bright’s Old Fashioned Lolly Shop

Leonie Collins, owner of Bright’s Old Fashioned Lolly Shop evacuated her business when the 2019 bushfires threatened the township.

Upon returning to her shop, she discovered significant smoke damage throughout. Largely dependent on tourism to support her business Leonie suffered a 90% loss in January 2020.

The Victorian Government implemented support to small businesses through the Business Recovery Advisory Service and a business support grant. The grant and support from an advisor assisted Leonie in knowing she wasn’t alone and taught her how to implement a structure that documents priorities, goals, actions and deadlines to keep her focused and accountable.

These new learnings reaped many benefits for Leonie helping her to stay focused and get her business going again.

For more information on Leonie’s story of success, visit the Bright’s Old Fashioned Lolly Shop Faces of Small Business case study.

Pureflow

Corey and Luke commenced their business, Pureflow Total Exterior Cleaning after the 2019 bushfires brought devastation to Mallacoota.

Luke encountered shocking stories of people, including the elderly, clearing their gutters in an attempt to save their houses from the bushfire. Luke instantly saw a need in the community and having the appropriate skill set Pureflow Total Exterior Cleaning was created.

The business was essential to the current need and support from the Business Recovery Advisory Service ensured the business would be sustainable and profitable.

Fast forward to today, Luke continues to successfully operate his business from Wonthaggi, and travels to Mallacoota in the summer months to prepare the houses and businesses for the bushfire season.

For more information on Corey and Luke’s story of success, visit the Pureflow Faces of Small Business case study.

Tarra Valley Caravan Park

Vicki and David, owners of the Tarra Valley Caravan Park felt the impacts of the January 2020 bushfires. Situated in East Gippsland, the bushfire hit at the peak of the tourist season and despite being safe from the fire tourists stopped visiting the fire-ravaged region. Months later, with the onset of Covid-19, the pressures of running a small business proved challenging.

The Business Recovery Advisors spent time with Vicki and David to understand their business operations and how they plan for future growth. The advisor supported them in planning, focusing on communication via social media and better understanding the figures and before long things started to move in a positive direction. The new processes enabled them to be more robust and they recently had their best year ever!

For more information on Vicki and David’s story of success, visit the Tarra Valley Caravan Park Faces of Small Business case study.